Fox host: Isn't Congress 'raping the American people' by stopping oil refineries?
 On Wednesday, combative Fox News host Neil Cavuto sparred with Rep. Bart Stupak (D-MI) over whether or not oil companies are practicing "gas gouging."
Stupak first explained the recent House vote to make gas gouging a federal crime, stating, "That's raping the American people."
"Alright," Cavuto responded, "so you don't think it's 'raping the American people' that we have too few refineries, and that's something you're in charge of."
Although Cavuto said that oil companies could be "greedy and looking out for money," he insisted the real fault lay with Congress and environmentalists for preventing the building of new refineries. Stupak disagreed, saying that the oil companies have had every chance to build new refineries but have refused.
Cavuto then attempted to put Stupak on the defensive, saying, "Why do you turn it around and accept it as a given, then, that people are being deliberately gouged when you don't seem to know for a fact they are." Stupak simply laughed and answered, "We know for a fact they are," adding "They don't need [the extra profit] to build new refineries. They need it cause the gittin's good, with oil companies sitting in the White House, and they're gouging the American people every opportunity they have."
Even though Stupak referred to a federal trade commission report on Hurricane Katrina which found "at least fifteen gas gouging" cases and cited other documented examples, Cavuto kept demanding that he tell the American people "the truth" about gas prices.
"Incredible, you keep saying it often enough, people are going to accept it as fact, Congressman," Cavuto said, "but I think a little truth is in order."
Stupak told the Fox host to bring any "contrary proof" he could find to the oversight and investigation committee he chairs.
The Fox host said he "looked forward" to future hearings, but didn't respond to Stupak's offer to back up his arguments.
The following video is from Fox's Your World with Neil Cavuto and was broadcast on May 23.
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